What’s the next top toy?

Toy fair unveils hi-tech robots as favoured playthings of tomorrow

By AYOUB ANSARI

SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA

Robots are taking over.

Automated, human-like machines were a big hit as the Canadian Toy and Hobby Fair recently unveiled the 2009 toy lineup at the 69th annual fair that unboxes the latest toys, hobbies and seasonal products and introduces the people behind them.

And while manufacturers had fun and education in mind, this year’s top toys were economical, environmentally friendly and technologically advanced.

Judging from one attendee, children are loving the toys more than ever.

Hanzla Ahmed, 11, tagged along to the show and said he loved every moment of it. He was excited that he got a sneak-peek at some of the toys that won’t be in the market for months.

“I didn’t know that there was gonna be this many toys,” Ahmed said. After seeing the toys he tells me he could have easily spend up to $6,000 on playthings.

There were thousands of toys on display at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the president of the Canadian Toy Association (CTA) is optimistic that the toy industry will succeed this year.

“I think it’s fair to say the Canadian toy industry is moving with cautious optimism into 2009,” said CTA president Jeff Hurst.

Hurst said that parents are realizing toys are a year-round investment for their children.

The strong emerging theme at the fair were eco-friendly toys. Toys made from recyled plastics, sawdust and wood. Yes, wood has made a strong comeback due to safety and environmental reasons.

The toys ranged in pricing and most toys were under the $50 mark. There were even booths by businesses that provided companies with safety certifications.

Canadian Toy Asscociation states that the toy industry in Canada is annually valued at $1.8 billion in retail sales.

Top Toys rated by Hanzla Ahmed

Hi-Tech: Mecanno’s Spykee spy robot (10/10)

It moves, sees, hears, speaks, takes pictures and makes videos. Control this robot from anywhere in the world via the Internet or at home through wireless. Can be used as a surveillance camera. It is equipped with a motion sensor and can be programmed to email you a picture if something moves. (299.99)

Economical: Uncle Milton’s Robot in my room (7/10)

It is a security guard, a bank and an alarm clock. Not exactly what a child needs. Robot in my room takes in coins and comes with a secret key to open the mini vault. It is equipped with a motion sensor that will go off if you try sneaking up on your child and the best part — the robot will do all your screaming in the morning to get your child out of bed and remind them about their reading time. It has a vocabulary of 50 phrases. (49.95)

Eco-friendly: Sprig Toys’ Discover Rig (6/10)

Plastic food containers and sawdust, that’s what it is made of. It smells like sawdust and Sprig toys are “kid powered” and require no batteries. When a child rolls the Rig, it triggers the generator that fuels the lights and sounds. The future looks greener. (69.99)

Runners-up

RC Skunk (39.99)

A skunk that doesn’t eat your garbage or spray the foul skunk smell, but still scares guests with its realistic look.

Inverse (34.99)

A brain-exercising strategy game that lasts for five-moves. The point of the game is to position the pieces in a way that you block the opponent.

Invasion of the BristleBots (22.99)

Part toothbrush, part robot that has no sense of direction. This is the toy for all the insect loving children out there including my nephew. No, it is not safe for the mouth!

Fun Fly Stick (29.99)

Finally a game that makes physics fun. It levitates metallic shapes after negatively charging it, if you know what I mean.

SweetPea3 (89.95)

MP3 player made just for tykes covered with soft rubber to take all the smashing and chewing. Comes with 1GB of memory and is equipped with a programmable off time. The last year it won the toy of the year.